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Tag: Today In Gay History

  • TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | The Gay Slayer, Colin Ireland is apprehended by police

    TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | The Gay Slayer, Colin Ireland is apprehended by police

    Serial killer Colin Ireland was charged and convicted of the murders of five gay men in the early 90s.

    Early one evening in 1993, a loner and life-long under-achiever Colin Ireland declared a startling New Year’s resolution to a shocked newspaper journalist. He was going to become a serial killer.

    Over the next six months, Ireland was as good as his word and went on to lure five gay men to their deaths. As the media whipped up a frenzy of fear proclaiming that a “Gay Slayer” was loose on the streets of London, Ireland continued to taunt those detectives trying to catch him.

    Eventually, though, Ireland found himself backed into a corner as police closed the net around him. He was jailed in December 1993.

    Ireland died in 2012 of ‘natural causes’ in prison aged 57. He was serving five counts of life imprisonment.

    Who were Colin Ireland’s victims?

    Peter Walker, 45 a choreographer. It is believed that he was the first victim of Ireland.

    Christopher Dunn, was a 37-year-old librarian.

    Perry Bradley III, 35, met Ireland at the Coleherne pub in London.

    Andrew Collier, 33, was a housing warden.

    Emanuel Spiteri, was 41 and from Malta. He also met Ireland at the Coleherne pub.

  • TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | Marsha P. Johnson dies

    TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | Marsha P. Johnson dies

    Marsha P Johnson was born in August 1945 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Ms Johnson was found dead on the 6th of July 1992. She was 46-years-old at the time of her death.

    Ms Johnson was a drag performer and LGBT+ activist and usually used female pronouns for herself, but also referred to herself as “gay, as a transvestite or simply as a queen” She was a well-known character in the New York Greenwich district and is widely considered to be a key figure in the Stonewall Riots of June 1969.

    She was heavily involved in the advocacy of AIDS patients and homeless LGBT+ folx.

    When did Marsha P Johnson die?

    In 1992 Ms Johnson went missing on the 4th July, two days later her body turned up in the Hudson River, New York. Police and an autopsy ruled her death a suicide, but friends and relatives believe that she would never end her own life.

    The authorities, under pressure from the community, reclassified her death as “death to drowning from undetermined causes”.

    In the David France documentary film, The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson, her death and its possible causes are discussed as large (available to stream on Netflix)

    Was her death an accident, suicide or something more sinister? This is the question that activist and crime victim advocate Victoria Cruz from the New York Anti-Violence Project has set out to determine as she launches her own investigation into the death of one of New York‘s most prominent LGBT figures.

  • TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | Harvey Milk speechwriter and author Frank M Robinson dies

    TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | Harvey Milk speechwriter and author Frank M Robinson dies

    Frank M Robinson was credited with writing some of Harvey Milk’s most emotive speeches.

    Frank M Robinson was 87-years-old when he died in 2014.

    Born in 1926, Frank M. Robinson moved to San Franciso in the 1970s where he became a speechwriter for Harvey Milk. He also had a small role in the Dustin Lance-Black film Milk.

    He was the author of 16 books, 3 of which were made into films, The Power, The Glass Inferno (made into The Towering Inferno) and The Gold Crew.

    One of Robinson’s most famous speeches was the one entitled “You’ve Got To Have Hope” which is credited to helping fuel the LGBT+ movement’s rhetorical power in the US. The speech is famous for its first line: “My name is Harvey Milk and I’m here to recruit you”, which was in response to a claim by TV star Anita Bryant that gay people were trying to recruit young people.

  • TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | UK Government first: Justine Greening, cabinet member comes out for Pride

    TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | UK Government first: Justine Greening, cabinet member comes out for Pride

    In a first, Justine Greening became the first female cabinet member of any government to come out as being in a same-sex relationship in 2016.

    The then UK Secretary of State for International Development, Justine Greening opened up about her sexuality when she announced on Twitter that she was in a “happy same-sex relationship” in June 2016.

    The former MP for Putney, Roehampton and Southfields remarked that she had “… campaigned for Stronger In but sometimes you’re better off out!”

    The Prime Minister of the time, David Cameron tweeted his congratulations to Ms Green, saying “great news”.

    Justin Greening later said that she was, “amazed and overwhelmed” by the support and that she really “appreciated” the messages.

  • TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | Rainbow Flag Makes Its Debut

    TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | Rainbow Flag Makes Its Debut

    The iconic symbol for the LGBT community, the rainbow flag made its debut.

    The iconic symbol for the LGBT community made its debut in San Franciso in 1978. It was displayed at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day parade in 1978. It has since gone on to be recognised worldwide as the symbol for LGBT spaces, venues and pride.

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    The flag was designed by Gilbert Baker. Since its introduction, it has gone under several design reviews and had colours removed and then re-added.

    Is the original rainbow flag available to see anywhere?

    The original flag can now be viewed at the Design Museum London which acquired the flag as part of a series of new objects for its permanent collection. It was acquired by the museum in 2017.

    Why did Gilbert Baker create the rainbow flag for gay pride?

    Speaking about the rainbow as a symbol for LGBT+ folx Gilbert Baker said,

    “There was no other international symbol for [the LGBT+ community] than the pink triangle which the Nazis used to identify homosexuals in concentration camps,

    “Even though the pink triangle was and still is a very powerful symbol, it was very much forced upon us”.

    What do they colours in the Rainbow Flag mean?

    Gilbert Baker created the rainbow flag with each colour representing a different area of life.

    Pink: Sexuality

    Red: Life

    Orange: Healing

    Yellow: Sunlight

    Green: Nature

    Cyan: Art

    Blue: Serenity/ Harmony

    Purple: Spirit

  • TODAY IN LGBT+ HISTORY: The city of Philadelphia reveals 8 stripe Pride flag

    TODAY IN LGBT+ HISTORY: The city of Philadelphia reveals 8 stripe Pride flag

    In 2017 the City of Philadelphia revealed their take on the traditional LGBT+ pride flag, to include two new stripes. A black and brown stripe to represent LGBT+ communities of colour.

    The organisers of the campaign, to drive awareness of some of the issues faced by communities of colour, added an extra brown and black stripe to the flag and used the hashtag #MoreColorMorePride.

    It has proved to be both adored and controversial since its reveal.

    While some maintain that the standard Rainbow Flag was supposed to be inclusive of everybody, regardless of race, colour or creed, others have suggested that for far too long, people of colour have been precluded from LGBT+ history nor given proper credit for some of the culture that has developed and enjoyed by the wider LGBT+ community.

    Since its introduction in 2017, numerous Pride events across the UK, have adopted that version of the flag, particularly in cities where there is a large BAME (Black Asian and minority ethnic) community.

    “Fuelling an important conversation”

    A statement on the campaign’s website says,

    “In 1978, artist Gilbert Baker designed the original rainbow flag.

    “An iconic symbol of LGBTQ+ unity. So much has happened since then. A lot of good, but there’s more we can do. Especially when it comes to recognizing people of color in the LGBTQ+  community. To fuel this important conversation, we’ve expanded the colors of the flag to include black and brown.

    “It may seem like a small step. But together we can make big strides toward a truly inclusive community”.

  • TODAY IN GAY HISTORY: “Gay” penguins become fathers at a Zoo

    TODAY IN GAY HISTORY: “Gay” penguins become fathers at a Zoo

    In 2014 two male penguins at an English Zoo in Kent became fathers after looking after an unhatched egg given to them by zookeepers. They instantly became internationally famous.

    The two male Humboldt Penguins called Kermit and Jumbs at Wingham Wildlife Park were made surrogate parents for an egg which was abandoned by its biological parents.

    Best parents we’ve ever had

    Head of birds and mammals at the park Becky Johnson explained: ‘It was a shame to see the heterosexual pair leave their egg, largely because the male deserted his share of the duties”

    Park owner Tony Binskin added “These two have so far proven to be the best penguin parents we have had. But we have had to bring in two new males to keep the balance of the group

    “We are still very much starting our breeding efforts with this species, and this is only our second year, but having such good surrogate parents available should we need them is a huge bonus for us.”

  • TODAY IN GAY HISTORY: Men in Russia shave their beards in protest to Conchita Wurst’s Eurovision win

    TODAY IN GAY HISTORY: Men in Russia shave their beards in protest to Conchita Wurst’s Eurovision win

    In 2014, Drag Queen Conchita Wurst won the Eurovision Song Contest with her epic hit, “Rise Like A Phoenix” which prompted a backlash from some in Russia – despite Conchita not representing Russia in the competition or being a Russian national.

    Unlike other drag queens, Conchita Wurst’s look involves a full beard, which proved a little too controversial for some.

    Wurst, real name Tom Neuwirth, was the subject of much hate-mongering from online trolls in Russia, Armenia and Belarus. One top Russian politician even called the contest a ‘sodom show’ after the DQ’s appearance.

    Numerous men in Russia started a hashtag on Twitter and other social networks called #ProveYoureNotConchita in which they displayed their freshly shave off beards in protest to Conchita’s win.

    However, “Rise Like A Phoenix” did climb the iTunes chart to claim the Number 1 spot in the Russian iTunes’ chart despite the adverse reactions.

  • TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | 1933: Nazis start the destruction of lesbian and gay culture in Germany

    TODAY IN LGBT HISTORY | 1933: Nazis start the destruction of lesbian and gay culture in Germany

    Today in 1933 the Nazis started their war against the gay and lesbian community in Germany by confiscating materials from the Institute of Sexual Science. The institute’s works were destroyed as part of the regime’s censorship programme, by youth brigades.

    The organisation was opened in 1919 and key in collecting and collating data concerning sexuality, gender and psychology.

    The Nazis burned the books and documents on the streets of Berlin as part of their censorship policy.

    Students organized by the Nazi party parade in front of the building of the Institute for Sexual Research in Berlin prior to pillaging it on May 6, 1933. They confiscated its books, photos and periodicals for burning. The Institute had been established by Magnus Hirschfeld, a Jewish homosexual doctor, as a center for sexology. It provided counselling and other services, and sought rights for homosexuals and transsexuals.

    The institute was opened by Magnus Hirschfeld and his collaborator Arthur Kronfeld in 1919.

    Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

    Magnus is also famous for coining the term transsexualism. The institute also employed transgender people. Pioneering modern sex reassignment surgeries were offered here in 1930.

    To find out more visit the wikipedia page

  • TODAY IN HISTORY | The Admiral Duncan Bombing

    TODAY IN HISTORY | The Admiral Duncan Bombing

    In 1999 a nail bomb went off in the popular gay pub The Admiral Duncan, killing three people.

    Three people were killed and dozens injured when a bomb, left in an unattended bag, placed by Neo-Nazi David Copeland, exploded on the 30th April 1999. The Admiral Duncan bombing was part of a series of three bombings in London, by Copeland who was targetting various diverse communities and stirring fear in the communities he targetted.

    The Soho bombing was the deadliest attack.

    Andrea Dykes 27, Nik Moore 31 and John Light, 32 were killed. Andrea was four months pregnant at the time. Around 70 people were injured.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Days after the attack, Peter Tatchell and members of the activism group Outrage organised a vigil outside the pub.

    Copeland was captured that same evening. He had terrorised Londoners with two other bombings, one in Brixton on the 17th and one in White Chapel on the 24th. His two other bombs, fortunately, did not kill anyone. It was thought that Copeland was trying to stir up race and homophobic tensions.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Copeland was convicted of three murders and three offences of planting bombs on 30 June 2000 and given six life sentences. The minimum time he’ll spend behind bars is 50 years.

    Read more about the attack here and to see pictures from the attack click here.

  • TODAY IN GAY | The Admiral Duncan Bombing

    TODAY IN GAY | The Admiral Duncan Bombing

    In 1999 a nail bomb went off in the popular gay pub The Admiral Duncan, killing three people.

    Three people were killed and dozens injured when a bomb, left in an unattended bag, placed by David Copeland, exploded on the 30th April 1999.

    Andrea Dykes 27, Nik Moore 31 and John Light, 32 were killed. Andrea was four months pregnant at the time. Around 70 people were injured.

    David Copeland was captured that same evening. He had terrorised Londoners with two other bombings, one in Brixton on the 17th and one in White Chapel on the 24th. His two other bombs, fortunately, did not kill anyone. It was thought that Copeland was trying to stir up race and homophobic tensions.

    Copeland was convicted of three murders and three offences of planting bombs on 30 June 2000 and given six life sentences. The minimum time he’ll spend behind bars is 50 years.

    Read more about the attack here and to see pictures from the attack click here.